People Who Experienced Eviction Tell Us About the Urgent Need for Renter Protections and Stronger and More Accessible Assistance Programs

Executive Summary

The Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania aims to center the voices of individuals with lived experience of
eviction and housing instability in policy and program discussions. We engaged 77 individuals through
surveys and focus groups in calendar year 2024 to learn about their experiences with eviction and assistance
programs and gather recommendations for program improvements. These conversations build on previous
engagement with over 330 individuals over the course of the last several years.

Common Themes:

• Eviction records created significant barriers to securing new housing.
• Most participants received formal eviction notices due to nonpayment of rent.
• Many participants lacked legal representation, making it difficult to navigate the eviction process.
• When attempting to access programs, participants were hindered by poor communication and complex
  application processes leading many to rely on informal support networks.
• More than half of participants did not use any programs because of lack of awareness of their existence.

This report highlights the urgent need for stronger programs to prevent evictions and improve housing
stability.